Race 1 - $120,000 The Meydan Hotel – Meydan Masters Leg 1, 1,200 meters, Tapeta
#9 LUI REI gets our nod as the top pick in a ridiculously competitive opening heat. He ran incredibly well first up for Herman Brown when second behind Frosty Secret after arriving in Brown’s barn late in the season. This colt bred in Italy ran on from the tail and I suspect Richard Hills will adopt a similar position here. Let’s see if a rare far-afielder can get the job done when sprinting – it has been a while. #1 GLOBAL CITY is tough to go against here, but we do so in search of value. Another of the dual-Carnival winners, Global City is well-positioned for a third but gets an added 4 kilos to level the field. Watch how Montpellier runs on Thursday to help judge. #8 GOOD CONTROL hasn’t run a bad race in the UAE and must be considered on his game performances.
1st – #9 LUI REI, 2nd – #1 GLOBAL CITY, 3rd – #8 GOOD CONTROL
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Race 2 – $120,000 The Meydan Museum – Meydan Masters Leg 2, 1,400 meters, Tapeta
All things considered, #1 CONSUL GENERAL has kept the best company with recency in this field and despite the impost of 62 kilos, this Saudi based mount of Aaron Gryder has been consistent in showing an affinity to get over the course. Facing the great effort of Gloria De Campeao and the freakish Skysurfers, the drop in class should help, as should the 1,400 meters trip. His races have looked like he would prefer over shorter and I think this could suit him well. #2 SIROCCO BREEZE was dandy when beating Mutheeb last time, and briefly owned the mark for the fastest 1,400 meters before Midshipman one-upped last week. He too is propped up in the ratings and must deal with an extra 7.5 kilos. Tough.
There is nothing wrong with liking #10 SILVERSIDE, a pleasant surprise for the Spanish connections who have enjoyed two great runs from their colt by Pleasantly Perfect, a Dubai World Cup winner. This is his third start up and could be a big one.
1st – #1 CONSUL GENERAL, 2nd – #10 SILVERSIDE, 3rd – #2 SIROCCO BREEZE
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Race 3 – $150,000 Meydan Classic, 1,600 meters, Turf
#11 TAHITIAN WARRIOR is the Godolphin new recruit but I think #10 FROZEN POWER is the proven player here. If Godolphin is hoping to get Tahitian Warrior ready for the Kentucky Derby, this is a local leg-stretcher after his recent ship from Florida. Frozen Power is three of six over the green and his Tapeta runs behind Musir have been encouraging. Knowing that he is fit, it makes sense to give him a shot back on the surface he appreciated back home. I’m just skeptical of the placement of Tahitian Warrior here and obt for Ajtebi’s mount…who, notably, carries the blue cap.
#4 TALENTA just has not adapted to the Tapeta and is sent back to her preferred surface. She has come down in the ratings but still carries the Group 1 penalty. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her come on with a bigger run, along with stablemate #1 REAL SECRET, whose last race was awful from start to finish.
1st – #10 FROZEN POWER, 2nd – #4 TALENTA, 3rd – #1 REAL SECRET
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Race 4 – $120,000 The Meydan City Corporation – Meydan Masters Leg 3, 2,200 meters, Tapeta
This is a wide open race and I think just about all of them could land a piece. It almost makes overwhelming analysis pointless…I could write about every horse and still not convince myself…
#6 BURDLAZ put in a surprisingly strong run against Lizard’s Desire last time and would seem to relish some added ground. There is reason to expect a move forward from that last race. #2 FIREBET had every chance to beat Al Shemali but couldn’t get the job done. He always goes close and is near the finish. A consistent type, I think he is a logical winner. As for logic, #3 DRUNKEN SAILOR could do it again. 2-for-2 over the trip and course makes him dangerous, especially now third off after having picked it up last time over King of Rome. Let’s go with #7 SOY LIBRIANO. He won a race this time last year and is third off for Ryan Moore. He has shown progressive form and could score at a price.
1st – #7 SOY LIBRIANO, 2nd – #3 DRUNKEN SAILOR, 3rd – #6 BURDLAZ
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Race 5 – $150,000 Imax Meydan Masters Leg 4, 2,000 meters, Tapeta
Just a point of order…if #12 EMERALD WILDERNESS wins, I’m going crazy. He adds cheekpieces for what its worth and has beaten me three times this Carnival. I’ll have a saver on him any way.
#10 MONTE ALTO has had two weeks off and that might put him over the top. Good fortunes for Richard Hills to have drawn this mount and I think it fitting that the four-time Meydan placer gets a win on the Carnival’s closing night. #11 ROMAN REPUBLIC was unlucky last time when #7 ROMAN’S RUN ran a freak race. I prefer the Republic of the Run. #4 FIERY LAD is better than he has shown and could improve second up.
1st – #10 MONTE ALTO, 2nd – #11 ROMAN REPUBLIC, 3rd – #4 FIERY LAD
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Race 6 – $175,000 Meydan Conditions, 1,200 meters, Turf
#2 AICHI has been begging for the chute to open and the straight course run will be the first and only at Meydan before the upgraded Al Quoz Sprint (G3). That run last week wasn’t bad but you have to think he improves on the green. #12 OASIS STAR has performed admirably for India this Carnival and gets a weight break, a monumental rider change, and the preferred surface. She could run a big one. #3 BARNEY MCGREW ran here last week knowing this race was coming up, and is likely using that to tune up here. Nothing wrong with that – these sprints are his specialty and the gallant gelding could be the winner. In the end, the top class rises.
1st – #2 AICHI, 2nd – #12 OASIS STAR, 3rd – #3 BARNEY MCGREW
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Race 7 - $250,000 Zabeel Mile (G2), 1,600 meters, Turf
The final event of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival is a solid renewal of the Zabeel Mile. #10 IMBONGI was spot in in the Al Fahidi Fort when dueling with Bankable and gets the nod here. He did nothing wrong in that race and leads me to believe he is the most in form competitor of the 12. What was #12 PURPLE SAGE doing on the lead last time out, blazing a solo trail? Trainer Fawzi Nass is likely pleased Luca Cumani has #9 SUMMIT SURGE in here as Olivier Peslier gets aboard his filly. To prove her flashing home in the Cape Verde wasn’t a fluke, I will give her a placing chance. #1 RIO DE LA PLATA brings the big resume to the race and is first up on the last night. He is class all the way but not the same from his younger days. A tough top pick, so I’ll leave him on the bottom.
1st – #10 IMBONGI, 2nd – #12 PURPLE SAGE, 3rd – #1 RIO DE LA PLATA